ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Corey Seager seems like issues are beginning to come collectively for the Texas Rangers, who’ve gained 4 of their final 5 video games.
Marcus Semien and Seager, the 2 large offseason additions, had RBI singles in the decisive seventh inning, final season’s high rookie Adolis Garcia had a bases-clearing double in the eighth and the Rangers beat the Houston Astros 6-2 in the opener of a four-game sequence Monday evening.
“Everything’s kind of clicking on both sides, the chemistry is getting better,” Seager mentioned. “There’s a lot of new faces, and a lot of new parts that we’re coming together … and are starting to figure themselves out.”
Along with the well timed hitting late, Matt Moore (1-0) and three different relievers mixed for 3 1/3 scoreless innings. Young right-handed starter Dane Dunning struck out 5 and allowed two runs in 5 2/3 innings.
Pinch-hitter Willie Calhoun opened the Texas seventh with a double off just-in reliever Phil Maton (0-1), who after getting his solely out allowed Semien’s single by means of the left aspect of the drawn-in infield that tied the sport at 2-2. After a single by Garcia, one other pitching change and a wild pitch, Semien got here house with the go-ahead run on Seager’s sharp single to proper.
“For Willie to come off the bench right there, it’s not an easy thing to do,” Texas supervisor Chris Woodward mentioned. “A huge hit there to start that inning, and we end up getting the lead. And Semien had a really good at-bat before Adolis. Those are the hits we’re going to need.”
Garcia hit his bases-loaded double with two outs in the eighth for the Rangers, who have been 2-9 earlier than their latest surge. They gained for solely the second time in their seven house video games this season.
Yordan Alvarez hit his fourth homer for the Astros, who’ve misplaced 5 of six. Kyle Tucker drove in a run with a two-out single in the sixth on which he initially slammed his bat to the bottom in disgust pondering he had popped out to shallow left.
Houston starter Framber Valdez allowed solely an unearned run over six innings, hanging out 5, strolling two and hitting a batter. The lefty departed after throwing 60 of his 97 pitches for strikes.
“He did pitch good. He got out of some tough jams, made some pitches when he had to,” Astros supervisor Dusty Baker mentioned. “He got up close to 100 pitches, what we hoped for, and he hoped for too.”
Valdez appeared OK after Nathaniel Lowe’s bat shattered in the fourth and helicoptered into the pitcher’s higher again. That occurred when Lowe, who had two hits to boost his batting common to .381, grounded into an inning-ending double play.
“We knew it hit him, but we didn’t know where, but he said it hit him in the muscle and he said it didn’t hurt. … he’s going to be sore tomorrow,” mentioned Baker, who referred to as the play scary. “I’ve seen that stick in a couple of guys.”
SOLID HURLING
Texas pitchers have allowed two or fewer runs in 4 consecutive video games, the group’s longest such stretch since April 2017.
“It really is an execution thing, but I think to execute, there’s just a little bit more of a calmness to them,” Woodward mentioned of the pitchers. “They’re uber-competitive bunch, but I just think that they’re on their feet, are on solid ground a little bit more. … Not as much anxiousness.”
SHORT HOPS
The Rangers scored 4 runs in the highest of the primary inning of their season opener April 8 at Toronto. In their 15 video games since, they’ve been scoreless in their first innings whereas hitting .167 (9 for 54). …. The retractable roof at Globe Life Field was open for the sixth time in the Rangers’ seven house video games this season. The roof was open for solely 11 of the group’s 81 house video games final season.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Astros: Alvarez fouled a pitch off his proper shin whereas batting in the third inning. He instantly jumped away from the plate in ache and dropped to each knees together with his head bowed towards the bottom. He finally received up and stayed in the sport, then hit an inning-ending comebacker to Dunning.
Rangers: Woodward mentioned RHP Spencer Patton’s proper indirect concern isn’t considered severe despite the fact that the right-hander was placed on the 10-day injured record Sunday. Woodward mentioned earlier than Monday’s recreation that Patton had been pitching by means of some soreness.
UP NEXT
Jake Odorizzi (0-2, 9.00 ERA), who didn’t make it out of the primary inning in his final begin, is scheduled to take the mound for the Astros. Rangers lefty-hander Taylor Hearn (0-1, 7.59) is 2-0 in seven profession appearances towards Houston, the one group he has a number of victories towards.
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